Should You Pause at the Top of the Swing?

[@GRFlashback]

Thanks Steve. Lately, I'm trying to pause at the top, because otherwise I have a problem with rushing the transition, which messes up my sequencing. I hit the ball more solidly if if I adopt a pause at the top swing key.

[@gassyjones]

Another well done vid Steve. I practice the “pause” method. Others would/could argue that the “no pause” creates more “lag”. I think it’s an illusion. My jury is still out on that. It doesn’t really work FOR ME.

[@rameshmohabir2668]

Another great video. I like you you explained this topic.

[@gregoryciesla542]

Good video Steve. I tried a slight pause during my winter speed training and noticed a significant jump in swing speed with less effort. Not sure if it’s just better form or allowing my weight shift forward creating more lag. In any case I plan to keep working with it and trying it out on the course.

[@craigmoeller962]

Interesting observations! Personally I'll intentionally try to pause during practice as I've heard Fred Couples does. It's just a way to make sure I'm starting the downswing with my lower body and not with the arms. When I play I focus on making sure my wrists are hinging but not a full pause. I find if I let the wrists hinge and can feel the weight of the club my shots are more consistent.

[@stupc1968]

I will try it out thanks Steve!

[@jeffp2001]

I’ve added a little faster off ball with a slow Down in transition I think it’s helping with my OTT swing🏌️‍♂️

[@JDSFLA]

I have always heard that "separation", whereby you begin to transfer weight to the forward foot BEFORE you complete the backswing, creates more swing speed and therefore distance. So pausing does not maximize your potential. Nevertheless, I tend to pause a moment just because it helps me to stay on plane better, and therefore be more consistent. Also, I think you have to be more athletic/coordinated to create separation.

[@blue24563]

The body needs to be in constant motion. There is always something moving. The notion of a pause at the top of the backswing is misleading.

[@steviek6484]

Cameron Young has the most pronounced pause on tour and one of longest hitters

[@blue24563]

It’s not a pause as such. No good player actually stops moving during the golf swing.

[@steveedwards3217]

@@blue24563 matsuyama does pause

[@blue24563]

@@steveedwards3217 no he doesn’t. No good player really pauses. They simply restart the swing at the top

[@steveedwards3217]

@@blue24563 he does...watched a swing analysis on it yersterday...0.2 seconds they times it at..have a lokk for yourself

[@leftyduffer]

I'm a bogey golfer and my swing needs the pause feeling at the top.

[@MPT458]

I also prefer to "pause". At my current state in my golf journey, if I don't pause I tend to cast and hit high spinny shots.

[@dominickdelfino7552]

Hideki Matsuyama big pause at the top

[@Inmotion70]

Too long IMO.

[@jamestaylor2976]

Bob Murphy comes to mind. It seems like he stopped at the top of the swing.

[@bigglesthwaite]

I think I should but probably don’t…

[@PeterPretorius-]

If you want my opinion, the pause methode is more easily to execute for amateurs or bogey golfers. It is like skiing. As an amateur skier, I could drive down the famous Kitzbühel Downhill. It is not a big deal. But I could not do it in the style and the way the pros do it because I don´t have the skills, the flexibility and the power in the muscles. If I did it like the pros, I maybe would hurt or kill myself.

[@DaviDamir]

charles barkleys swing lol

[@blue24563]

No tour player ‘pauses’ at the top of the swing. The body is in constant motion throughout the swing. It’s very misleading to describe it this way.

[@Inmotion70]

Just as the bungee jumper appears to 'pause'. Technically there will be a moment when the acceleration of the club is 0.00, if you had enough data.

[@blue24563]

@@Inmotion70 but the body keeps moving. It has to by definition in order to be a ‘swing’

[@bmlom72]

Cam Young. Hideki Matsuyama. Sungjae IM.

[@blue24563]

@@bmlom72 Nope. Watch them swing. They don’t pause at all. You have no chance of compressing a golf ball by pausing.

[@dmac2573]

@@blue24563 that's just not true lol

[@craigmoeller962]

Interesting observations! Personally I'll intentionally try to pause during practice as I've heard Fred Couples does. It's just a way to make sure I'm starting the downswing with my lower body and not with the arms. When I play I focus on making sure my wrists are hinging but not a full pause. I find if I let the wrists hinge and can feel the weight of the club my shots are more consistent.